Events for May 8-14, 2014

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FRIDAY, MAY 9

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Chef is Jon Favreau's comedy about a cook who loses his restaurant job and starts up a food truck and stars Favreau along with Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale and Sofia Vergara; Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska in Richard Ayoade's adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Double; The animated musical Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return features the voices of Lea Michele, Martin Short, Jim Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammar and Megan Hilty; Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Dave Franco, Rose Byrne, Lisa Kudrow and Christopher Mintz-Plasse in the Nicholas Stoller comedy Neighbors; Gia Coppola's Palo Alto stars James Franco and Emma Roberts. Also in theaters: Fed Up; God's Pocket; Moms' Night Out

From Caped Crusader to Dark Knight: 75 Years of Batman @ Egyptian Theatre (Hollywood)
Batman first appeared in Detective Comics in May of 1939, and to celebrate, American Cinematheque is screening double features dedicated to the superhero two nights in a row. If you have never hiked up to the caves in Bronson Canyon that were used in the "Batman" television series while singing the theme song in your head, well, you're sorely missing out. Never fear, you can na na na na na na along with fellow fans during tonight's screening of the 1966 feature that was spawned from the show with Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, followed by Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, the feature spinoff of the animated show. Saturday's double feature is of Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns, starring Michael Keaton as Batman.

FOOD

OC Night Market @ OC Fair & Event Center (Costa Mesa)
Since its inception two years ago, the 626 Night Market has grown into a huge affair, drawing more than 50,000 people to its monthly event inspired by the nighttime markets of Asia. This year, they've decided to spread the fun around to other areas of SoCal, including this weekend's first-ever festivities in Orange County. Beginning at 4 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday, you can sample dishes from over 200 different vendors – the bacon jerky from Banzai Jerky, a lobster roll from the Lobsta Truck, lychee macarons from JoJo Cakes – and enjoy presentations from visual artists, musicians and dancers.

SPORTS

Thunder vs. Clippers @ Staples Center (Downtown)
Having begun the healing process after the shock and mayhem created by the unfortunate Donald Sterling, the Clippers were able to take care of business against the Warriors and head into the Western Conference Semifinals with a fresh attitude and outlook. Los Angeles took Game 1 against Oklahoma City, 122-105, on the Thunder's home court, but the OKC squad won Wednesday night's game by 11 points. Los Angeles has a fierce hunger to make it to the Finals, but don't expect this season's league MVP Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the squad to just let the Clips walk all over them. Game 3 tonight and Game 4 on Sunday afternoon are going to feature some exciting playoff basketball.

SATURDAY, MAY 10

MUSIC

Cinquanta @ Greek Theatre (Griffith Park)
Just like 15-year-old Latinas celebrate their special birthday with a blowout celebration, the great Maynard James Keenan is commemorating his 50th year of life with this grand event taking place tonight and tomorrow night at the Greek. The L.A. singer-songwriter, musician, producer, winemaker and actor is known for his on-stage theatrics, so expect even more awesome performances from his bands Puscifer and A Perfect Circle than you have seen before. As a treat, Failure has agreed to hold reunion sets on both nights as the band's gift to MJK, who says, "This was the perfect opportunity to tick off one of my bucket list items in the form of a Failure reunion. What better birthday present could one ever hope for?"

FILM

The Return of Outdoor Movie Nights
Warm weather doesn't only mean beach days and wearing flip flips 24/7, it ushers in the season of having picnics and watching movies under the stars with friends. Tonight, two of the city's biggest outdoor movie event organizers kick off their schedules for the year. Cinespia sets up stakes at their usual site, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, with a screening of Harold Ramis' 1983 ode to the summer family road trip, National Lampoon's Vacation. Join the Griswolds (Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Dana Barron and Anthony Michael Hall) on their cross-country trek to Walley World. Or, you can head a little southwest to Pan-Pacific Park where Street Food Cinema opens their season with a 30th anniversary double feature of two awesome comedies from 1984, Revenge of the Nerds and Bachelor Party. It's an all-out '80s party with a costume contest, DJs spinning music from the decade, food trucks and special guest Curtis "Booger" Armstrong.

SUNDAY, MAY 11

MOTHER'S DAY

Showing mom just how much you appreciate her doesn't mean you have to empty your wallet on an extravagant brunch at one of the city's best gourmet restaurants. Treat her to a homemade spread for brunch or dinner, or just spend the day doing something together. Go for a hike in Runyon Canyon or walk along the Santa Monica Pier. See a matinee of The Wizard of Oz at Aero Theatre, The Sound of Music at the Egyptian or Mildred Pierce at the Cinefamily. Take in exhibits at MOCA, LACMA or the Getty Center. Or head to a play, like the one below.

THEATER

"Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words" @ The Pasadena Playhouse (Pasadena)
Most everyone has to read Their Eyes Were Watching God in school, and Zora Neale Hurston's own life is just as inspiring for women and men of every color. Playwright Gabrielle Denise Pina's "Letters From Zora: In Her Own Words" explores the author's opinions on integration, segregation and social justice through the dramatization of personal letters set to original music composed by Ron McCurdy and archival images collected by Margie Labadie. Get to know the woman behind the stories, as well as the friends and foes that comprised her world during the Jazz Age. Running through May 18.

TUESDAY, MAY 13

ART

Fallen Fruit of the Skirball @ Skirball Cultural Center (Brentwood)
From the vibrant red of its skin and seeds to the numerous health benefits contained in its juice, the pomegranate is quite an appealing fruit. Furthermore, the symbolic meanings of the fruit – particularly relating to marriage and fertility in Jewish, Persian, Greek and Turkish cultures – are many. After being inspired by an illustrated ketubbah (Jewish marriage contract) on display at the Skirball, David Burns and Austin Young of the L.A. art collaborative Fallen Fruit (who are known for using fruit as a medium) began work on this exhibit that focuses on the pomegranate, as well as the emotional, cultural and intellectual "ingredients that make for a great relationship." On display through Oct. 12.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

FOOD

Science & Food: How We Taste @ UCLA's Schoenberg Hall (Westwood)
The second lecture in UCLA's Science & Food series explores how humans taste through the lens of a scientist (Dr. Dana Small), a chef (Wylie Dufresne) and a food writer (Peter Meehan). Dr. Small explains how different flavors stimulate our brains and also sheds light on the link to obesity. Chef Dufresne, who is known for his inspired dishes that utilize molecular gastronomy techniques, tells of his approach to creating unique flavors and textures. Cookbook author and former New York Times writer Meehan shares his experiences with food and how they have shaped his writing.

Events for Sept. 5-11, 2013

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 5

D.H. Peligro

BOOKS

D.H. Peligro @ Book Soup (West Hollywood)
The explosive Dead Kennedys and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer discusses and signs copies of his memoir, Dreadnaught: King of Afropunk, which releases in paperback Sept. 17. The punk legend offers an intimate glimpse into his childhood in a St. Louis ghetto, his years in San Francisco with Dead Kennedys and in Los Angeles with the Chili Peppers, as well as his battles with drug and alcohol abuse.

MUSIC

Robert Walter's 20th Congress @ The Mint (West Los Angeles)
The revered organist, keyboardist and founding member of the Greyboy Allstars is also an accomplished film composer, working on the scores for projects like Bridesmaids, Bad Teacher and "New Girl" with Michael Andrews. He started Robert Walter's 20th Congress in the late 1990s, and they just unveiled their first new album in 10 years, Get Thy Bearings. To celebrate the release, the band performs tonight at the Mint.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 6

FILM

In Theaters This Week
Hell Baby, from the hilarious team of Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, stars Rob Corddry and Leslie Bibb; Vin Diesel reprises his role as the title character of Riddick, the third installment of the sci-fi/action series; Shane Salerno's documentary that delves into the life of J.D. Salinger; Jennifer Hudson is Winnie Mandela as she falls in love with Nelson (Terrence Howard), works by his side and tirelessly during his imprisonment. Also in theaters: 99% The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film; Best Kept Secret; Dead Before Dawn 3D; Good Ol' Freda; My Father and the Man in Black; Our Nixon; Out of the Clear Blue Sky; Populaire; Shuddh Desi Romance; Snake & Mongoo$e; The Ultimate Life

MUSIC

Gold Fields @ Troubadour (West Hollywood)
The Australian quintet's very first North American headline tour makes a stop at the Troubadour in support of their debut, Black Sun, which released in February via Astralwerks. Upon the album's release, Billboard and MTV named the synth-pop group as Artist to Watch, and they garnered praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, Alternative Press and The New York Times. It's easy to see what all the buzz is about with just one listen of tracks such as "Dark Again," "Treehouse" and "Happy Boy."

ZZ Ward

ZZ Ward @ House of Blues (West Hollywood)
If you're in the mood for something a bit more bluesy, then ZZ Ward is the woman for you. Growing up in rural Oregon, she started performing with her father's blues band when she was 13. Her love of hip-hop and rap led to singing hooks for local rappers at underground clubs in Eugene, and there are definite hints of R&B, soul and the blues in her songs. She just released the 365 Days EP with alternate versions of tracks like "Blue Eyes Blind" and "Move Like You Stole It" from her debut album, last year's Til the Casket Drops, which featured appearances from Kendrick Lamar and Freddie Gibbs. Surely the night holds a few of those special versions in store for the crowd at HOB.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7

FILM

All About Eve @ Hollywood Forever (Hollywood)
Cinespia hosts a screening of the Joseph L. Mankiewicz classic. The film won the Oscar for Best Picture, as well as the awards for Best Supporting Actor, Costume Design, Director, Screenplay and Sound, but will always be remembered for Bette Davis' performance as Margo Channing. Whether you've never seen it or watched it 20 times, it's always a special treat to see it an atmosphere that only Cinespia can provide.

FOOD

Fifth Annual Good Food Pie Contest @ LACMA (Mid-City West)
I can't believe it's been five years since my amazing baker of a little sister competed in the first contest. If you're a home cook, professional pastry chef or just a pie lover, there is so much fun to be had at the annual KCRW event. Tasting of the record-breaking 347 pies entered in the contest begins at 2 p.m. in the categories of fruit, nut, cream/chiffon/silk, savory, vegan and LACMA art-inspired pie. Judges such as Moby, Jonathan Gold, Gustavo Arellano, Susan Feniger, Karen Hatfield and Valerie Gordon select the winners, while Even Kleiman presides over all the festivities.

MUSIC

Chase and Status

Rock the Bells @ San Manuel Amphitheater (San Bernardino)
The festival celebrates its 10-year anniversary with dates in San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and New York, kicking off with a two-day event here in San Bernardino. Saturday's lineup includes Kid Cudi, KRS ONE, A-Trak, Common, Chase & Status, Talib Kweli, Pusha T, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tech N9ne, Jurassic 5 and Immortal Technique. There are performances from Wu Tang Clan, Girl Talk, J Cole, E-40 & Too Short, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh and Dilated Peoples on Sunday. In addition, many of the artists will be doing VIP meet and greets throughout the weekend.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 8

MUSIC

ABBA Fest @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood)
If you didn't catch the video of voice coach Sarah Horn being randomly selected from the Hollywood Bowl audience to get up onstage and sing a duet of "For Good" with Kristin Chenoweth last week, then please go watch it now. She blew the entire venue away with her pipes, including a stunned Chenoweth, and is going to perform as a special guest at the Bowl's celebration of the Swedish pop group. Horn also acts as judge for an ABBA-Cappella sing-off between three of the area's best collegiate groups, Chapman University's SoundCheck, UCLA's the Scattertones and USC's the SoCal VoCals, with versions of ABBA hits such as "Take a Chance on Me," "Money, Money, Money" and "Does Your Mother Know." The evening is capped off with a performance from tribute band, ABBA, The Concert.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11

MUSIC

On An On, Hands @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
Midwest trio, On An On, swing through Los Angeles in support of their debut, Give In, which released at the beginning of the year. Your body will have no problem immediately giving in to the call of their airy synths and pulsating drums and just letting loose. Make sure to visit their merch booth to pick up a copy of their new cassette with covers of Hot Chip's "Boy From School" and Björk's "Unison." Los Angeles' Hands – who were named as one of TIME Magazine's 11 Bands You Don't Know (But Should) List – offer support, armed with the energetic tracks from their debut, Synethesia.

Events for June 27-July 10, 2013

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FRIDAY, JUNE 28

The Heat

FILM

In Theaters
The Heat reunites Bridesmaids director Paul Feig with Melissa McCarthy and throws Sandra Bullock into the mix, as the two women must partner up to catch some elusive criminals; A documentary on early-'70s punk pioneers, A Band Called Death; Pedro Almodóvar's I'm So Excited!; Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, Zoe Kazan and Emily Watson in Some Girl(s); Roland Emmerich helms the action-packed White House Down, starring Channing Tatum as a cop and Jamie Foxx as POTUS. Also in theaters: 100 Bloody Acres; Byzantium; Copperhead; How to Make Money Selling Drugs; The Secret Disco Revolution

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

FILM

The Breakfast Club @ Exposition Park (South Los Angeles)
Join Street Food Cinema for a screening of the Brat Pack drama. Written and directed by John Hughes, The Breakfast Club stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall and Ally Sheedy as a group of unlikely friends trapped together in Saturday detention. Local band Fallen Riviera plays a set before the screening, and food trucks like Slummin Gourmet, Belly Bombz, and the Melt Bus are going to be on hand all night.

FOOD

L.A. Street Food Fest @ The Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
The fourth annual tasting event's line-up includes over 100 food, beverage and clothing/accessories vendors. For $50 you get all you can eat and drink from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from places like the Grilled Cheese Truck, Starry Kitchen, Yuca's, The Churro Borough and Peddler's Creamery.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Toby at Canter's (Gary Baseman)

ART

Gary Baseman Bus Tour – Departs from Skirball Cultural Center at 10 a.m.
I am so sad that I will be out of town this weekend, or else I would definitely take this tour with one of my favorite L.A. artists, Gary Baseman, as he shares some of the locations that are meaningful to his life and career. You'll visit his childhood neighborhood, Wacko in East Hollywood and Canter's Deli where his mother worked for over 30 years. The tour is led by Jim Heimann, friend of Baseman, an L.A. historian and the executive editor of TASCHEN America. If you can't make the tour, please visit his current exhibition, Gary Baseman: The Door Is Always Open, at Skirball through Aug. 18.

DRINK

Art Beyond the Glass II @ Los Angeles Athletic Club (Downtown)
Dozens of Los Angeles' top bartenders not only share cocktails but their art, photography and music as well. Teams like Bombay Sapphire (Chris Ojeda, Kate Grutman, Mia Mastroianni and Nathan Burdette) and Pisco Porton (Brady Weise, Brittini Rae, Chris Amirault and Daniel Zacharczuk) work together in the Invention Bar or showcase their cocktails at satellite bars. Proceeds benefit Art Share LA.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

FILM

In Theaters Today
The sequel to the 2010 hit, Despicable Me 2 features the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Schaal, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand and Steve Coogan; Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star as Tonto and John Reid in Gore Verbinski's The Lone Ranger. Also in theaters: Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain

MUSIC

Fleetwood Mac @ Staples Center (Downtown)
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers last toured in 2009 and embarked on this current trip in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Rumours' release. Expect to hear all of your favorite songs from the landmark album, as well as many other hits.

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Americafest

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

3-Day Celebration @ Hollywood Bowl  (Hollywood) – Featuring Josh Groban, patriotic music from the Los Angeles Philharmonic (conducted by Sarah Hicks) and a thrilling fireworks display on July 2, 3 and 4

4th of July Fireworks Show (Marina Del Rey) – A 20-minute display over the marina

All-American Fourth of July @ The Queen Mary (Long Beach) – Explore the ship, live music, games and activities from the 1920s, '40s, '60s, '90s and the present, cocktails, treats, fireworks at 9 p.m. and a screening of Independence Day

Americafest @ The Rose Bowl (Pasadena) – Music, food, TNT motorcycle stunts, performances by Mariachi Divas and Kenny G, as well as fireworks at 9 p.m.

Block Party @ Grand Park (Downtown) – Hosted by KCRW's Anthony Valadez, performances by Get Lit, Ethio Cali, Jungle Fire and La Santa Cecilia, food trucks and a light/pyro show after sunset

Late Night & BBQ @ Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach) – Visit the exhibits at night, eat delicious barbecue and see a fireworks display.

Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade (Pacific Palisades) – Parade begins at 2 p.m., Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) and the Dead Peasants concert at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks spectacular at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JULY 6

FILM

Roman Holiday @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood)
Cinespia screens the William Wyler classic, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, as an escaped princess and the reporter who discovers her. DJ Carlos Nino spins before and after the movie. If we can't all go on holiday to Italy this summer, we might as well revel in the sites of Rome on display in this film.

MUSIC

The Hootenanny @ Oak Canyon Ranch (Silverado Canyon)
The 19th annual music and kustom car festival returns to Orange County with hundreds of local vendors, food, drink, classic cars, the Hootenanny Pinup Contest and performances by Social Distortion, Face to Face, Murder By Death, Old 97s, Nashville Pussy and more. Keep the Fourth of July festivities going all weekend long.

Events for May 16-22, 2013

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THURSDAY, MAY 16

Devendra Banhart (Ana Kras)

MUSIC

Devendra Banhart @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
Although Los Angeles has lost the singer-songwriter to New York City, he bookends the world tour in support of his eighth studio album, March's Mala, with SoCal dates, including tonight at the Fonda and Aug. 24 at FYF Fest. I would opt for the show this evening, though, because there's nothing like experiencing Banhart's distinctive falsetto warble on older tracks, his sultry croon on newer songs such as "Mi Negrita" and overall charismatic onstage presence in a setting as intimate as the small theater. He's been known to invite the entire audience up on stage with him to sing along, so it should prove to be an awesome night.

FRIDAY, MAY 17

FILM

In Theaters This Week
I have high hopes for Star Trek Into Darkness, the sequel to J.J Abrams' 2009 reboot to the franchise, because the director, and the "Fringe" and "Alias" writing team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman as well as Damon Lindelof ("Lost"), have yet to disappoint me. Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana and Zachary Quinto reprise their roles as Kirk, Spock and Uhura, while Benedict Cumberbatch (the BBC's Sherlock Holmes) is Commander Harrison, later to be revealed as dun dun dun… Khan; Julianne Moore, Greg Kinnear and Lily Collins in The English Teacher. Also in theaters: Augustine; An Oversimplification of Her Beauty; Black Rock; Erased; Frances Ha; Pieta; State 194; Stories We Tell

The Outsiders/Rumble Fish @ The Egyptian (Hollywood)
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of both films, American Cinematheque presents a Francis Ford Coppola/S.E. Hinton/Matt Dillon double feature. The evening begins with a screening of the author's watershed work, The Outsiders, which she penned while in high school. Coppola directs an all-star cast that includes C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise and Dillon, who portrays the roughest Greaser, Dallas "Dally" Winston. Stay Golden, Ponyboy! Then, Coppola adapts another Hinton novel and reunites with Dillon (and Lane) in the black-and-white Rumble Fish, which also stars Mickey Rourke, Dennis Hopper, Nicolas Cage and Tom Waits.

MUSIC

Andy Grammer @ The Fonda (Hollywood)
It's virtually impossible to keep still and not sing along whenever Grammer's monster hit "Keep Your Head Up" from his 2011 self-titled debut comes on the radio. I'm not the only one who feels this way, since the album has gone platinum. The Los Angeles native actually started out busking on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, and he's certainly come a long way since then. However, he can still lure a crowd into the palm of his hand during his performances. Just spend the night with him at the Fonda and see for yourself.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Thirty Seconds to Mars

MUSIC

KROQ Weenie Roast @ Verizon Amphitheater (Irvine)
Speaking of Jared Leto, it's hard to ignore the posters and billboards all over town for Thirty Seconds to Mars' new album, Love Lust Faith + Dreams, which released earlier this week. The trio headline KROQ's 21st annual event with the Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, Of Monsters and Men, Jimmy Eat World, Silversun Pickups, Imagine Dragons, AWOLNATION and Atlas Genius. Fitz & The Tantrums, the Neighbourhood, C2C, Capital Cities, New Politics and Twenty One Pilots are set to appear on the side stage.

The Ocean Blue @ The Satellite (Silver Lake)
If you don't feel like heading down to the OC, then head over to the Satellite for either one of the Pennsylvania foursome's two-night stand. They just released their first album in over 10 years in March, and Ultramarine's 12 tracks mark a return to form, as well as a beginning, for the band. Old and new fans alike should anticipate dancing along to songs from their entire catalog.

FILM

American Psycho @ Hollywood Forever (Hollywood)
The Cinespia season at the cemetery is once again in full swing for the season, and this weekend's feature is Mary Haron's adaptation of the chilling Bret Easton Ellis novel. The film from 2000 stars Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Chloë Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon and Christian Bale in an unforgettable turn as the sociopathic Patrick Bateman. As always, bring a picnic dinner, bottle of wine and some blankets to hide your face during the bloody parts of the modern horror classic. DJ Jun spins before and after the screening.

TUESDAY, MAY 21

Laura Marling

MUSIC

Laura Marling @ Hollywood Forever Masonic Lodge (Hollywood)
The England transplant blesses her adopted hometown with a show at Hollywood Forever in anticipation of the May 28 release of fourth album, Once I Was An Eagle. The award-winning troubadour takes a listeners on a trip through the American West as she reflects on her own newfound independence and adulthood with the album, and it should be stunning to see the songs performed live in such a breathtaking setting.

FOOD

LA Times Bite Night @ The Atrium at LA Times (Downtown)
Since the Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic transferred to the Times, he's inaugurating a new tasting night that will coincide with the publication of the paper's first dining guide, Jonathan Gold's 101 Best Restaurants, which hits stands next week. Gold handpicked more than 20 restaurants, including Alma, Bestia, ink. Mozz, Squirl, The Hart & the Hunter, Kogie and Night + Market, for Angelenos to sample. Although the even is sold-out you have until 5 p.m. today (Thursday, May 16) to enter two win two tickets here. Good luck!

THEATER

"The Scottsboro Boys" @ Ahmanson Theatre (Downtown)
From the highly successful songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, who brought the world such musicals as "Cabaret" and "Chicago," comes their final collaboration, "The Scottsboro Boys." With a book by David Thompson, Susan Stroman ("The Producers") directs this emotionally charged production that documents one of the most infamous events in American history. Nine African-American men are accused of a crime that they didn't commit and, even more, didn't even happen. As their tale is interwoven with innovative staging, beautiful music and extraordinary choreography, it's bound to touch a chord in every audience member's soul. Through June 30.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

MUSIC

Youngblood Hawke @ Avalon (Hollywood)
The Angelenos take a one-night break in the midst of their worldwide tour in support of the their debut album album Wake Up's release last month for a hometown stop in Hollywood. If tracks like "Stars (Hold On)," my personal favorite "Forever" or their break-out hit "We Come Running" have yet to grab you, give their live show a chance. The explosion of sound and all-out energy will quickly make you a convert.

L.A. LANDMARKS - Hollywood Forever

Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Scott Beale / Laughing Squid)

 

HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY

6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles (Hollywood)

It may seem a bit weird to include a cemetery on the list of places to visit in Los Angeles, but Hollywood Forever is a big part of the city's cultural fabric. This is Hollywood, after all, and film legends need a fabulous resting place. Originally established on 100 acres as Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery in 1899 by Isaac Lankershim and Isaac Van Nuys, the grounds are now 62 acres that feature lush green lawns, ornate headstones and mausoleums. Fans can pay tribute to Hollywood luminaries like Cecil B. DeMille, Mel Blanc, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks and Fay Wray, as well as musicians Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone. Even gangster Bugsy Siegel's crypt is located at Hollywood Forever.

Although the site began to fall into disrepair under the ownership of convicted felon Jules Roth beginning in 1939, it was eventually restored and refurbished by Tyler and Brent Cassity. The grounds were revitalized, garnering it placement on the National Register of Historic Sites, and Hollywood Forever has become so much more than just a cemetery. Every summer, thousands of Angelenos gather to eat, drink and watch classic movies as part of the Cinespia film series. Artists such as the Flaming Lips, Sigur Rós, Band of Horses and the xx have performed concerts there. And every Halloween, the cemetery hosts the largest Dia de Los Muertos celebration in California with altars created by members of the community dedicated to their dearly departed loved ones.

Aside from being a part of Hollywood history, the cemetery has also appeared on TV in "90210" and on the big screen in a documentary of its history called The Young and the Dead and Garry Marshall's Valentine's Day. It's also featured in Tim Powers' novel Expiration Date.